Plantation`s Search For An Alternative Fuel Worthwhile

September 15, 1985

FOR LOCAL officials struggling to supply improved services to a growing population, ``That`s the way we`ve always done it`` is being replaced as a motto with ``Try something new.``

Plantation city government could become part of growing trend toward alternative, innovative solutions to common governmental problems if it proves feasible for the city to adopt an unusual program to fuel police cars and other city-owned vehicles with sewer gas.

That`s a big ``if,`` and before City Council considers giving its approval, members must first satisfy themselves that the long-term payoff in money no longer needed to buy gasoline is worth the short-term investment in new technology.

The city`s consulting engineers are now studying the possible cost of installing a system to purify methane gas generated naturally at a sewer treatment plant and an underground pipeline to move the gas from the plant to the police station.

Cost estimates of the bio-gas converter run as high as $750,000, according to Mayor Frank Veltri. If the idea works, the gas could be pumped into special tanks that could be installed in vehicle trunks. A test car now equipped to run on methane has won praise from Police Chief Morris Meek and Council member Ralph Merritt.

The words ``sewer gas`` suggest an unpleasant odor, but methane is odorless and burns cleanly in an engine, compared to the harmful odors and chemicals that are an inescapable part of gasoline engine exhausts.

The use of biologically generated gas as fuel is becoming increasingly popular among local governments nationwide, not only as a way to save money and make better use of taxpayer dollars but also as a way to increase America`s opportunity of becoming energy-independent.